Like many other states, Montana has had a spate of horrific child abuse cases and deaths. Unlike some other states that are only trying to toughen child abuse reporting laws — which is akin to closing the barn door after the horse gets out, but worse, so much worse — the legislature authorized a deep-dive into understanding what child trauma is all about.

Montana is one of the 18 states that has completed a state-wide Adverse Childhood Experiences Study through its BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). Child welfare advocates hope